[Short but sweet] Princess of mini dramas, Kim Seul-gi
by Guest Beanie
Splish Splash Love
Hello everyone. I know we were supposed to talk about mini dramas and drama specials, but I am here to expand on that idea by not just giving you my favorite mini dramas but also my favorite mini drama actor… Kim Seul-gi.
Now, I know you may all be saying, “RamyunIsTheName, I’ve seen your track record and in almost every single post you make, you find a way to talk about Kim Seul-gi. What’s up with you?” The answer is simple… I’m in love with her (duh). With that cleared up and out of the way, I want to share my unbiased opinion on why Kim Seul-gi has a track record of excellence.
Splish Splash Love has to be the most popular drama–to date–that Kim Seul-gi has starred in as a main character. It is a story that is as old as time, but with that certain Kim Seul-gi flare that fans have come to expect.
Splish Splash Love
In the drama, Kim Seul-gi plays Jang Dan-bi, a high school senior struggling through life; trying to find out exactly who she is and what she’s good at. She’s on the cusp of adulthood and scared senseless without a purpose or goals for the future. One fateful day, she’s on her way to take the biggest exam of her high school life when she’s transported to Joseon-era Korea where she meets King Yi Do.
As Dan-bi tries to find her place in this story, and save the kingdom and herself from certain ruin, there are all sorts of antics. Along the way she finds love, but more importantly she starts to understand her strengths and who she is as a person.
The drama in description sounds daunting but something about the way Kim Seul-gi acts out her character brought life and joy into the role. It makes it very hard not to fall for her! This drama could have become hackneyed and just another cliched time travel drama, but it became a fan favorite due to how well the actors played their parts (along with great writing and directing, of course).
Queen of the Ring
The next mini drama series where Kim Seul-gi shone would be Queen of the Ring costarring Ahn Hyo-seop. In that drama, she plays Mo Nan-hee–a college student who comes from a lineage of “ugly” women. She hates her face and wants to make the school heartthrob, Park Se-gun (Ahn Hyo-seop), fall for her. Her mother gives her a magic ring that’s been passed down for generations to help her fulfill her wishes. This ring has the power to turn the wearer into their crush’s ideal woman. Calamity ensues when Nan-hee finds out that when she wears the ring, in Se-gun’s eyes, she turns into Nan-hee’s gorgeous best friend.
Nan-hee now has to find a way to make Se-gun fall for her as just her normal “ugly” self. The story itself touches on heavy things including anxiety, self-esteem, and societal pressures to look beautiful. Even with all that, the drama is so artfully done that every point lands on its target and pulls right on the heartstrings while also making you laugh and cringe.
My last favorite isn’t a mini drama per se, but it was cut short so I’ll include it here: Surplus Princess. Yes, even with its shortened run it’s technically longer than most mini dramas (it had ten episodes) but since it was cut short we’re not letting it fall through the cracks. It was also the drama that officially introduced me to Kim Seul-gi after SNL: Korea so I’m rolling with it.
Surplus Princess
Now, Surplus Princess wasn’t technically written around Kim Seul-gi but she stood out so much that the story might as well have been only about her. Kim Seul-gi masterfully took on the role of character Ahn Hye-young, a mukbang prodigy who dreams of becoming an actress. As the most insightful member of Surplus Boarding house, she’s the first person to notice that Jo Boa’s character is actually a mermaid in search for the love of her life. Seul-gi’s portrayal of Hye-young was a shining point in the drama. Hye-young was a dedicated and quirky new age woman who was proud of her abilities–and tough enough to dominate the boys. Plus we all know that we came for Song Jae-rim’s abs, but stayed for Kim Seul-gi and Nam Joo-hyuk’s romance.
Honestly, that’s what’s so great about Kim Seul-gi and what she does with her characters in these mini drama series. She brings a lesson to whatever she does, whether it’s learning to embrace the future or learning to embrace yourself. Her work helps you to laugh and cringe in secondhand embarrassment and in that way you connect with her and learn how to connect with yourself. To be able to teach a lesson and connect with someone in only a handful of episodes is a talent. That talent is what separates Kim Seul-gi from the rest. It’s why she needs to be crowned princess of mini dramas.
Flower Boy Next Door
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1 nomadictrail
April 28, 2019 at 6:12 PM
I love Kim Seulgi. I first watched her and loved her on Discovery of Romance with Eric Moon and Jung Yumi. But Splash Splash Love really cinched the deal for me. She's one of my very favorite actors and I'm always always looking forward to her next project.
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2 buckdawna
April 28, 2019 at 6:31 PM
She's golden. I ❤ her so.
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3 kx
April 28, 2019 at 6:34 PM
She was my favorite character in Surplus Princess and her romance was NJH was so cute, but Splash Splash Love was a whole other level of chemistry and I need a reunion of that couple in another sageuk. She knows how to sing to boot, and it's a shame she isn't leading more works.
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amara
April 28, 2019 at 7:36 PM
their chemistry my god!!!!!! x__x
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4 gadis
April 28, 2019 at 6:59 PM
Because I'm determined to make beanies fall in love with KBS Drama Special as hard as I am, let me present to you another of Kim Seul-gi's mini drama project. I'm Dying Soon is an old 2014 one-eps drama. One of the quirkiest and cutest love story I've watched, and despite the age difference, Kim Seul-gi and Oh Jung-se positively sparking with chemistry.
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amara
April 28, 2019 at 7:36 PM
i usually hate age differences like a lot like so much i must put a disclaimer, but i loved that special. something abou thtem together.
she also has this one called 'the diary as a resentful woman' and there are no eng subs but she and her mans look good together so i've watched it mult times!
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ebichu
April 29, 2019 at 10:45 PM
Lol, thanks for mentioning "The Diary of a Resentful Woman," which I didn't even know existed... and which resulted in my spending all morning searching desperately for English subs. I see it's on youtube but unsubbed, the same as most other sites, save for some that have Indonesian subs. No eng subs, though, even on subscene. 😢
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amara
May 3, 2019 at 8:22 PM
oh my god i did the same exact thing after i replied to you! i searched for hours even tried to torrent it where the subs were allegedly by this one user but it wouldnt budge at all. it's a shame bc it's been yrs but ive seen it often enough...to kinda know the story...
SMH
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5 amara
April 28, 2019 at 7:34 PM
i miss her so much. all the best parts of shows are her. even oh my ghost i'm in love with jjs and the idea of seulgi together. i've sat through all her dramas except lookout at this point.
i think she's grown with every role and idk what it is about her but she has this major chemistry with people. she may be small but she dominates.
omfg surplus princess romance >>>
splash splash love is a whole other caliber i love that minidrama. they were so in love. she's really talented and versatile i hope she takes on more roles an gets a lead soon
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BC
April 29, 2019 at 1:16 AM
She had a great chemistry with Key in Lookout. Oh My Ghostess wacky Kim Seul Gi is pure gold - shining brightly, holding chosen jewels together in beautiful harmony.
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KSKalways
April 29, 2019 at 6:52 AM
truuuue! She's in The Lookout !!
Now, I'll be truthful: that is pretty much the show where I fell in admiration for Kim Young-Kwang, so I might have been a little distracted but... tee hee
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amara
May 3, 2019 at 8:20 PM
u know i wouldnt have thot they worked but i can see it bc she bringss fire!!! i spoiled myself for it tho :( but yea yea yeaaaa ia
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Midnight
April 29, 2019 at 6:40 AM
Lookout is PERFECT!
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amara
May 3, 2019 at 8:20 PM
why did i spoil myself for the eeend
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Midnight
May 3, 2019 at 9:03 PM
It's okay. I have rewatched it 5 times already knowing the end.
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6 luckyduc
April 28, 2019 at 7:55 PM
Thanks for writing your article on Kim Seul-Gi! She's my happy pill. Loved her in Splish Splash Love and Oh My Ghostess. Did you see her on Happy Together with Kang Ha Neul?!? Watch it. She shows off her many charms (she's funny, she sings, she dances) and there's definite interest btw her and Kang Ha Neul. *squees inside. When I need a pick me up I'll watch that or a video of her dancing with either Jay park or Ahn Hyo-Seop.
@gadis Thanks for the recommendation! I'm off to watch now!
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7 virtual life
April 28, 2019 at 11:08 PM
I too love kim seul gi. she is such a fantastic actor. it is so sad though she is so talented ,she has not still got that lead actress status and stars in so few dramas. but the most annoying thing is she is mostly given "ugly " girl role. I really find her so beautiful, it just pains me to see her in such roles . I want her to do beautiful rom com without any comments on the looks.
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KSKalways
April 29, 2019 at 6:50 AM
I don't understand how she can be considered "ugly" by a n y standards either! :-(
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Blue (@mayhemf)
April 29, 2019 at 10:21 AM
yes, I too find her so beautiful. And she is such an amazing actress!
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8 Rukia wants melona
April 29, 2019 at 12:05 AM
@feranmi101,
Thank you for this ode to Kim Seul-gi. I always look forward to watching her in a drama, she is so multi talented! I hope that we can see more of her, with her sparkling wit and excellent acting skills.
And the screen shots you chose are the best!
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9 Cloggie
April 29, 2019 at 12:46 AM
I watched Lookout just for her. Well, her and Key.
She's an amazing actress who's often quirky, but in a different way in each drama.
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10 BC
April 29, 2019 at 12:58 AM
Oh, Kim Seul Giiiiiiiiiiiii ! My favourite korean golden germ!! Did you see her in I Live Alone? She's very talented, sweet and organised. She would become a ballerina if she'd chosen that part but she loves acting soooo much. It's pitty that she's not considered a beauty by korean standards. Looking forward to her next project. Thanks @gadis and @boughtabride for your recommendations. 😊
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11 BdxPelik
April 29, 2019 at 1:25 AM
I think you can call her a Cameo Princess, too
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12 KSKalways
April 29, 2019 at 6:49 AM
Thank you for this cute essay, RamyunIsTheName @feranmi101 !
I looooove her!
I first noticed and fell in love with her in Flower Boy Next Door where she was the over-tired manwha editor. She always got me laughing. She's the only thing I remember of an otherwise mediocre Park Shin Hye rom-com... (don't kill me please, Park Shin Hye fans!!)
Then I saw her in Oh My Ghost as the Lust-filled virgin ghost, and I can't lie, while I also really liked Park Bo-Young's character, I was really sad when it finally became clear that our favourite ghost would be relegated to the very sidelines. :-(
Splish Splash Love was soooo good! I'm glad she got a chance to shine as the main female character! I tried Queen of the Ringbut was so put off by the premise that I couldn't go past 2 eps. Oh well, no regrets. I did watch some of her best scenes in The Idle Mermaid on Youtube and... can someone give her the main female role again, please?! JEBAL!!!!
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BC
April 29, 2019 at 7:11 AM
Maybe next season of Waikiki...
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KSKalways
April 29, 2019 at 9:00 AM
I easily melt of 2nd hand embarrassment and have thus never watched Waikiki... ha ha ha
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virtual life
April 29, 2019 at 8:48 AM
I was also frustrated with the premise of Queen of the ring but I had loved her pairing with ahn hyo seop in splash splash love.( I think im the minority ). for the love of their otp Icompletely watched QotR.
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KSKalways
April 29, 2019 at 9:00 AM
no shame in that! Good for you, chingu!
*beanie finger hearts*
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virtual life
April 29, 2019 at 9:43 AM
The things we do for love
hehe
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Cloggie
April 29, 2019 at 9:50 AM
Oh My Ghost was the first thing I saw her in and I was so gutted when I realised that she wasn't going to be the main character. (This was early in my kdrama watching days when I didn't know any better). I'm glad that I wasn't the only one!
I also loved her cameo in Kill Me, Heal Me so funny.
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KSKalways
April 29, 2019 at 11:35 AM
she was in that? oh my!! I'll have to find a clip on youtube
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Cloggie
April 29, 2019 at 12:26 PM
I'm pretty sure it was in the first episode.
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TAS-Mania
April 29, 2019 at 2:17 PM
The problem I had with Oh My Ghost is that I was left feeling that the hero did not end up with the person he actually fell in love with...
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KSKalways
April 29, 2019 at 7:53 PM
yup!
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RamyunIsTheName
May 16, 2019 at 9:25 PM
Please read my February post....
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13 mary
April 29, 2019 at 9:27 AM
We love her! Who doesn't?! *takes out tiny pitchforks*
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14 Wag-a-muffin
April 29, 2019 at 12:45 PM
I love her so much I made her the 2nd lead in one of my Manhwas. https://ktoonsbyfox.wordpress.com/2016/09/07/convenience-store-vampire/ Sadly, no producer picked up the option to make this a real drama. (But I can dream.)
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15 TAS-Mania
April 29, 2019 at 2:13 PM
I'm still extremely bitter about how the writer/director ended Surplus Princess but in honor of your post I just watched another Kim Seul-gi drama "I'm Dying Soon". Overall a cute Drama Special.
I also liked Splash Splash Love and Kim Seul-gi was great in Flower Boy Next Door (too bad that drama lost stream in the last few episodes).
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16 JustMe
April 29, 2019 at 5:50 PM
*adds Queen of the Ring to my list*
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17 klmeri
April 30, 2019 at 4:41 PM
I just want to crown her for being amazing, but yes she's done some great short dramas. Thank you for this ode to a wonderful actress!
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